Denver Police Reddit AMA on Weed: Ten Highlights

Now that Colorado’s Amendment 64 effectively decriminalized marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use, Denver PD’s Lieutenant Matt Murray recently took to Reddit’s AMA forum to field questions regarding the legal limitations.

As the questions ranged from mundane to absurd, Murray answered all questions informatively, even to the point of suggesting fine restaurants to quell your munchies. Here are the best questions and reactions from the AMA.

AMA question: Have you arrested my brother Kevin? I know he smoked a lot of weed in the past and I haven't seen him in awhile. Is there a guy named Kevin in one of your jails?
DPD: Here is the number for the Sheriff Dept (prisoner info). (720) 913-3600.

Image 1 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Have you arrested my brother Kevin? I know he smoked a lot of weed in the past and I haven't seen him in awhile. Is there a guy named Kevin in one of your jails?
DPD: Here is the number for the Sheriff Dept (prisoner info). (720) 913-3600.

AMA question: Have you arrested my brother Kevin? I know he smoked a...lot of weed in the past and I haven't seen him in awhile. Is there a...guy named Kevin in one of your jails?
DPD: Here is the number for...the Sheriff Dept (prisoner info). (720) 913-3600.

Image 2 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: OK, so as a visitor to the state in 2014 and without a medical card, I can still buy from a licensed marijuana business?
BRB, Planning vacation to Colorado next year....
DPD: Yes, you can. We also have nice restaurants....
AMA question: Restaurants are good, any recommendations?
DPD: Chief White loves Fogo de Chao.
7-11 also has good nachos

Image 2 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: OK, so as a visitor to the state in 2014 and without a medical card, I can still buy from a licensed marijuana business?
BRB, Planning vacation to Colorado next year....
DPD: Yes, you can. We also have nice restaurants....
AMA question: Restaurants are good, any recommendations?
DPD: Chief White loves Fogo de Chao.
7-11 also has good nachos

AMA question: OK, so as a visitor to the state in 2014 and without a...medical card, I can still buy from a licensed marijuana...business?
BRB, Planning vacation to Colorado next year....
DPD: Yes, you can. We also have nice restaurants....
AMA question: Restaurants are good, any recommendations?
DPD:...Chief White loves Fogo de Chao.
7-11 also has good nachos

Image 3 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Have either of you ever smoked pot?
DPD: Nope (nerd).

Image 3 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Have either of you ever smoked pot?
DPD: Nope (nerd).

AMA question: Have either of you ever smoked pot?
DPD: Nope (nerd).

Image 4 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: What are the current values of the Denver Police to protect State Jurisdiction vs. Federal Jurisdictions, & is it true that the Federal Raids of local growers are making arrests to better control products & revenue for Companies like Marlboro?
DPD: No. We are not in the business or in partnership of protecting any certain company.

Image 4 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: What are the current values of the Denver Police to protect State Jurisdiction vs. Federal Jurisdictions, & is it true that the Federal Raids of local growers are making arrests to better control products & revenue for Companies like Marlboro?
DPD: No. We are not in the business or in partnership of protecting any certain company.

AMA question: What are the current values of the Denver Police to...protect State Jurisdiction vs. Federal Jurisdictions, & is it true...that the Federal Raids of local growers are making arrests to better...control products & revenue for Companies like Marlboro?
DPD: No. We...are not in the business or in partnership of protecting any certain...company.

Image 5 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: How do you determine if someone is under the influence or within legal limits? Will you be judging this by appearance, or reaction? I mean, I know quite a few goofy-acting people who are as sober as a nun....
DPD: Traffic? We do roadside tests to determine impairment. It could also be based on how you were driving etc. This is settled law (DUI).

Image 5 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: How do you determine if someone is under the influence or within legal limits? Will you be judging this by appearance, or reaction? I mean, I know quite a few goofy-acting people who are as sober as a nun....
DPD: Traffic? We do roadside tests to determine impairment. It could also be based on how you were driving etc. This is settled law (DUI).

AMA question: How do you determine if someone is under the influence...or within legal limits? Will you be judging this by appearance, or...reaction? I mean, I know quite a few goofy-acting people who are as...sober as a nun....
DPD: Traffic? We do roadside tests to determine impairment. It...could also be based on how you were driving etc. This is settled law...(DUI).

Image 6 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Now, this question is for people under 21 but over 18. I am looking to go to Colorado with a friend of mine in a few weeks. We will obviously be using marijuana. However, while he is over 21, i am just almost 20. If I am driving can he keep the weed in his bag and if we are pulled over no one will get in trouble? Or will it count as being in my possession and i go to jail? Also, even though i realize I will be technically breaking the law by using marijuana there, would i get in a heap of legal trouble from just smoking with someone else out in nature or private places and stuff like that? Is this mostly up to officer discretion?
DPD: YO -- Don't break the law. We are the cops!
Don't keep marijuana in a common area (like in the vehicle). Keep it on his person and you won't have an issue.
What kind of car will you be driving? License? :-)

Image 6 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Now, this question is for people under 21 but over 18. I am looking to go to Colorado with a friend of mine in a few weeks. We will obviously be using marijuana. However, while he is over 21, i am just almost 20. If I am driving can he keep the weed in his bag and if we are pulled over no one will get in trouble? Or will it count as being in my possession and i go to jail? Also, even though i realize I will be technically breaking the law by using marijuana there, would i get in a heap of legal trouble from just smoking with someone else out in nature or private places and stuff like that? Is this mostly up to officer discretion?
DPD: YO -- Don't break the law. We are the cops!
Don't keep marijuana in a common area (like in the vehicle). Keep it on his person and you won't have an issue.
What kind of car will you be driving? License? :-)

AMA question: Now, this question is for people under 21 but over 18. I...am looking to go to Colorado with a friend of mine in a few weeks. We...will obviously be using marijuana. However, while he is over 21, i am...just almost 20. If I am driving can he keep the weed in his bag and if...we are pulled over no one will get in trouble? Or will it count as...being in my possession and i go to jail? Also, even though i realize I...will be technically breaking the law by using marijuana there, would i...get in a heap of legal trouble from just smoking with someone else out...in nature or private places and stuff like that? Is this mostly up to...officer discretion?
DPD: YO -- Don't break the law. We are the...cops!
Don't keep marijuana in a common area (like in the vehicle)....Keep it on his person and you won't have an issue.
What kind of car...will you be driving? License? :-)

Image 7 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: What sort of interaction have you had with various federal agencies on this issue? Have said interactions been hostile/threatening in nature, or is there more a desire to find an amicable resolution?
DPD: We work with numerous Federal agencies and have a good relationship. There has not been a decision about Marijuana federally (in light of Colorado and Washington State).

Image 7 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: What sort of interaction have you had with various federal agencies on this issue? Have said interactions been hostile/threatening in nature, or is there more a desire to find an amicable resolution?
DPD: We work with numerous Federal agencies and have a good relationship. There has not been a decision about Marijuana federally (in light of Colorado and Washington State).

AMA question: What sort of interaction have you had with various...federal agencies on this issue? Have said interactions been...hostile/threatening in nature, or is there more a desire to find an...amicable resolution?
DPD: We work with numerous Federal agencies...and have a good relationship. There has not been a decision about...Marijuana federally (in light of Colorado and Washington State).

Image 8 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Will there be warnings issued, as opposed to arrests? I'm guessing educating the public about new laws, etc would be better public relations than throwing someone in jail....
DPD: Officers have discretion in most areas of the law. We can cite or warn in a traffic situation, and the officers have the same discretion here. It really depends on the situation.

Image 8 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Will there be warnings issued, as opposed to arrests? I'm guessing educating the public about new laws, etc would be better public relations than throwing someone in jail....
DPD: Officers have discretion in most areas of the law. We can cite or warn in a traffic situation, and the officers have the same discretion here. It really depends on the situation.

AMA question: Will there be warnings issued, as opposed to arrests?...I'm guessing educating the public about new laws, etc would be better...public relations than throwing someone in jail....
DPD: Officers have discretion in most areas of the law. We can...cite or warn in a traffic situation, and the officers have the same...discretion here. It really depends on the situation.

Image 9 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: As someone not from Colorado, I do not know the specifics of Amend. 64, but am curious as to how it extends to the operation of vehicles. For instance, in some municipalities you can be cited a DUI while riding a bike. Does this apply to Colorado for operating say a snow mobile or bicycle?
DPD: It is illegal to operate boats, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, snow mobiles, etc while under the influence (of alcohol or drugs).

Image 9 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: As someone not from Colorado, I do not know the specifics of Amend. 64, but am curious as to how it extends to the operation of vehicles. For instance, in some municipalities you can be cited a DUI while riding a bike. Does this apply to Colorado for operating say a snow mobile or bicycle?
DPD: It is illegal to operate boats, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, snow mobiles, etc while under the influence (of alcohol or drugs).

AMA question: As someone not from Colorado, I do not know the...specifics of Amend. 64, but am curious as to how it extends to the...operation of vehicles. For instance, in some municipalities you can be...cited a DUI while riding a bike. Does this apply to Colorado for...operating say a snow mobile or bicycle?
DPD: It is illegal to...operate boats, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, snow mobiles, etc while...under the influence (of alcohol or drugs).

Image 10 of 10|Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Do you think CO has come to the right conclusion on marijuana policy?
DPD: The Denver Police Department does not consider there to be a "war on drugs." That saying comes from Federal politicians in the 1980's.
The majority of MARIJUANA enforcement performed by the Denver Police is initiated by citizen complaints.

Image 10 of 10 - Top Ten Highlights From The Denver Police Reddit AMA

AMA question: Do you think CO has come to the right conclusion on marijuana policy?
DPD: The Denver Police Department does not consider there to be a "war on drugs." That saying comes from Federal politicians in the 1980's.
The majority of MARIJUANA enforcement performed by the Denver Police is initiated by citizen complaints.

AMA question: Do you think CO has come to the right conclusion on...marijuana policy?
DPD: The Denver Police Department does not...consider there to be a "war on drugs." That saying comes from Federal...politicians in the 1980's.
The majority of MARIJUANA enforcement...performed by the Denver Police is initiated by citizen complaints.

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